UTTARAKHAND FOREST DEPARTMENT AND WWF-INDIA'S FIRST-EVER SATELLITE TELEMETRY REPORT ON THE MOVEMENT OF ENDANGERED VULTURES RELEASED TODAY
Dehradun: The Uttarakhand Forest Department, in collaboration with WWF-India, has released a landmark report on the first-ever satellite telemetry survey of vultures in Uttarakhand that marks the use of technology-based conservation techniques in monitoring wildlife.
The report titled "Satellite Telemetry: A Tool for Raptor Conservation", was released today in Dehradun by the Honourable Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami at the State Wildlife Board meeting.
The report encapsulates the findings of the first-ever telemetry study in the state on three threatened resident vulture species - the white-rumped vulture, the red-headed vulture and the Egyptian vulture - within the Corbett and Rajaji Tiger Reserve. The findings will support the Forest Department in identifying critical habitats and movement corridors for vultures and facilitate the protection of biodiversity and habitats through strategic interventions.
Using cutting-edge GPS satellite transmitters, five vultures were tagged between October 2023 and April 2024 to track their movement patterns, foraging behaviour, and key stopover sites. This helped to identify key feeding and roosting sites of vultures that lie outside Protected Areas (PAs), noting the urgent need for coordinated conservation efforts across administrative and ecological boundaries, including partnerships with other government departments, local NGOs, and research institutions.
The report also recommends the development of a Decision Support System (DSS) that integrates telemetry data with ecological, socio-economic, and infrastructure layers. This will guide forest officials and decision-makers to respond proactively and adaptively to conservation challenges.
Shri Ranjan Kumar Mishra, IFS, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests and Chief Wildlife Warden, Uttarakhand, stated, "This study equips us with real-time data to guide informed conservation decisions. It strengthens our ability to identify and protect critical habitats, particularly those outside traditional protected areas. Vultures are nature's cleanup crew, and protecting them is not just about species conservation; it's about safeguarding ecosystem health and human well-being. We are proud to pioneer this data-driven approach in Uttarakhand."
Ratul Saha, Director, Raptor Conservation Programme, WWF-India, said, "This is more than just a technological milestone; it reflects what we can achieve when science, policy, and grassroots conservation come together. Tracking these vultures gives us information on where they feed, where they rest, and where they are most vulnerable. These findings can now guide us in protecting vultures and the landscapes they depend on. We hope that this study will inspire similar efforts across India, and we will continue tagging more birds with the forest department."
Overall, 20 individuals will be tagged in phases to build a robust long-term dataset. The study is being carried out with logistical and technical support from WWF-India, with field implementation led by experts across the Corbett and Rajaji landscapes.
The Uttarakhand Forest Department remains committed to science-based conservation, and this initiative marks a significant step towards safeguarding India's rapidly declining raptor populations while strengthening landscape-level biodiversity conservation planning.
